Orthodromic and Antidromic Snare Techniques for Left Ventricular Lead Implantation in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Safety and efficacy of orthodromic snare technique in left ventricular lead delivery in cardiac resynchronization implantation

BACKGROUND

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves ventricular function, but a positive response to CRT is often limited due to left ventricular (LV) lead placement in a suboptimal position. Complex coronary venous anatomy can hinder the placement of an LV lead in the target vessel, leading to poor CRT response.

OBJECTIVE

To report experience with snare-assisted LV lead delivery in CRT and compare outcomes with the conventional LV lead delivery.

METHODS

This is a single-center retrospective case-control study of CRT implants between 2016 and 2021. Snare-assisted lead delivery was performed in cases where conventional lead placement failed or when a preferred target vessel had anatomy amenable to the technique. Safety and outcomes were compared to conventional LV lead placement cases.

RESULTS

Among 180 CRT cases, 33 were snare-assisted, and 147 were conventional LV lead placements. Median follow-up was 924 days in the snare and 618.5 days in the control group. The lead placement was successful in 28/33 snare and 138/147 control cases. A mid-vessel segment was attained in 89.3% of snare and 72.5% of control cases(p = .03). The apical position was more frequently observed in the control group (26.8% vs. 7.1%, p = .03). All-cause mortality trended lower in the snare group (6.1%) compared to (17.1%) in the control group (p = .13).

CONCLUSION

Snare-assisted LV lead delivery is a safe and effective technique that can be utilized for overcoming complex venous anatomy.

Antidromic snare technique for re-implantation of a coronary sinus lead into the same cardiac vein after transvenous lead extraction: a case report

Background

After coronary sinus (CS) lead extraction in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), occlusion of the branch vessel from which CS lead was extracted is a major obstacle to re-implantation, particularly if that vessel is the only optimal vessel for resynchronization.

Case summary

A 75-year-old female who underwent CRT implantation 11 years prior presented with worsening dyspnoea, right ventricle-only pacing rhythm, and increased CS lead pacing threshold. Because she was a CRT responder, we decided to replace the malfunctioning CS lead. After successful extraction, the vessel from which CS lead was extracted was not visualized, and guidewire re-insertion attempts failed. No other branch vessels suitable for re-implantation were observed. Fortunately, distal portion of the target vessel was viewed by a retrograde flow of contrast. A guidewire was advanced retrograde into the target vein via a connecting vessel, and the distal end of the guidewire was snared around CS ostium and then pulled out of the sheath. A new CS lead was inserted through the distal end of the guidewire and successfully implanted antegrade into the same target vein using a veno-venous loop of the guidewire ('anti-dromic snare technique'). The patient was discharged 2 days after the procedure without complications.

Discussion

Antegrade re-implantation of CS lead may not be possible after extracting CS leads with long dwell times, possibly due to extraction-induced vessel occlusion. If the occluded vessel is the only proper vessel for CS lead re-implantation, the anti-dromic snare technique could be a safe and effective bail-out strategy.

Special Issue: Latest Advances in Delivery and Outcomes of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy and Conduction System Pacing

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) is an established technique to improve morbidity and mortality in selected heart failure patients [...].